Couch column: Improved Broncos defense earns redemption

John A. Lacko | Special to the GazetteWMU linebacker Boston McCornell tries to avoid Eastern Michigan quarterback Andy Schmitt, left, and the Eagles' Alex Beierwalter on an interception return Saturday at Waldo Stadium.

KALAMAZOO
Boston McCornell is a big man, with big eyes and a big appetite -- and, for the last two weeks, one big, battered soul.

Being yanked from the starting lineup after most of two seasons as a first-string linebacker will do that sort of thing to you.

Saturday, with time winding down and a win against Eastern Michigan all but sewn up, McCornell was gift-wrapped one of those moments that says, "It's going to be OK."

Teammate C.J. Wilson tipped a pass headed for the end zone from the arm of Eagles quarterback Andy Schmitt. Then, perhaps a higher-being thought McCornell had suffered enough. Whatever the reason, as witnessed by 20,000 folks at Waldo Stadium, the ball waited patiently before floating right into McCornell's cradled arms.

"It was a present for me," said a relieved-looking McCornell, who rumbled 29 yards after the pick like a rhinoceros pumped full of Red Bull. "My eyes got big, I was looking up like, 'Ah, man, this is real.' Got to take it. ... I knew it was dinner time and I had to eat."

It had been only famine for McCornell and several of his classmates since WMU's loss at Central Michigan two weeks ago.

McCornell, defensive end Zach Davidson and defensive tackle Nick Varcadipane were replaced by three true freshman -- Mitch Zajac, Drew Nowak and Weston Peiffer -- during the bye week and told they couldn't win back their jobs on any day but Saturday.

Zajac played a ton in the 31-10 win over EMU. Nowak and Peiffer played early, before mostly giving way to the regulars.

But McCornell, Davidson and Varcadipane each left their mark.

The rest of THIS season, they made it clear, one devastating loss included, will be determined by them and this senior class.

"I pulled every one of those guys aside and I said, 'You're all going to get a shot and now I'm going to find out what you're really made of," Broncos coach Bill Cubit said.
"I can't tell you from the tape, but from what I saw, they met the challenge."

Varcadipane tallied five tackles. McCornell finished with six take-downs and a fourth-quarter sack.

Davidson's numbers were almost the same, with one more tackle for loss, and a tone-setting sack on the game's first drive to force a punt.

WMU's best edge rusher had been all but absent in the 38-28 loss to Central Michigan. Consequently, so was the Broncos' pass rush.

"I didn't perform last week," Davidson said. "So this is what happens. It was motivation. That's what we needed as a D-line."

This wasn't a perfect defense by far Saturday. It surrendered 405 yards to a woeful Eastern Michigan program whose quarterback belongs in intensive care more than he does on a football field.

But the Bronco 'D' was better on third downs, giving up six instead of 10. It was better on the goal line, turning EMU away twice from the 2-yard line -- an interception by senior E.J. Biggers and the swatting paws of senior C.J. Wilson can be thanked for that, along with the "present" to McCornell.

"The coaching staff had to make a switch and they were making a point," McCornell said. " ... They were trying to get me to bring more to the table. In the Central game, I was trying to do too much, rather than just playing. I knew what the consequences were and I just did my role (today). I came in and did what I had to do."

The final score and comments by their head coach are signs it was enough to turn the defense back over to the players who helped build its teetering reputation.

"I think we accomplished what we needed to get done," Cubit said.

Graham Couch can be reached at 388-7773 or gcouch@kalamazoogazette.com.